The “Behind the Wheel” expert selected subcompact 4×4 models aged 8-10 years with a mileage of 100 to 200 thousand kilometers.
The first model is the Ford EcoSport (sold until 2018). All-wheel drive versions cost 1.1-1.7 million rubles, but there are few of them – only a fifth of all cars on the market, said Za Rulem expert Sergei Zinoviev. All-wheel drive comes only with a two-liter 140-horsepower Duratec engine. The engine does not like bad fuel and does not have hydraulic compensators. Transmissions – manual or hydraulic automatic 6F35 with the same resource. The suspension is stiff but reliable. Cons: cheap plastic, poor visibility, small trunk (300 l). Verdict: a good choice for the money.
The second model is the first generation Hyundai Creta (since 2016). A third of aftermarket cars have all-wheel drive. You can find a Creta 4×4 for less than 1.5 million, but with high mileage or defects. The engines are naturally aspirated 1.6 and 2.0, but they have seizures and oil burns due to poor fuel and maintenance. But the hydraulic automatic machines A6GF1/A6MF2 are one of the best. There is a clutch lock, but under load the shaft splines wear out. The suspension is resilient, only the stabilizer links are weak. Corrosion appears early, especially on the tailgate. Verdict: good car, but overpriced.
Next comes the Mazda CX‑3. Prices for diesel versions start at 1.2 million rubles, gasoline ones – from 1.7 million. The 1.5 diesel (105 hp) runs about 250 thousand kilometers, but causes trouble with the particulate filter and EGR valve. The 2.0 petrol engine (150 hp) lasts longer, but requires AI-98 and suffers from capricious fuel equipment. The ground clearance is only 160 mm, this is an asphalt crossover with a cramped interior.
Another crossover is the Renault Kaptur. It has been sold in Russia since 2016. For 1.3-1.5 million rubles you can find cars with a mileage of up to 150 thousand kilometers. Until 2020, all-wheel drive was combined only with a 2.0 engine (143 hp) on a cast iron block, service life – over 400 thousand kilometers. Boxes – manual or four-speed automatic, withstand 220-250 thousand kilometers. The all-wheel drive clutch has forced locking up to 80 km/h, but the crosspieces wear out quickly.
The list includes the Skoda Yeti, which was sold in Russia until 2018. The price of all-wheel drive vehicles starts from 1.2 million rubles. However, since 2015, all-wheel drive on the Yeti has become available only with a 1.8 turbo engine (152 hp) and a DQ250 robot. An engine with a cast-iron block suffers from oil leaks and a weak timing chain; the service life is about 300 thousand kilometers, but it is not clear how many repairs will be required. By the age of 8-10 years, corrosion affects wheel arches and doors, and there are also minor electrical failures.
Sixth on the list is the Suzuki Vitara, which has been on sale since 2015. It’s difficult to find an all-wheel drive Vitara for less than 1.6 million rubles, but occasionally there are offers for 1.4–1.5 million with a mileage of about 200 thousand kilometers. The mass-produced 1.6 engine (110 hp) with distributed injection adopts AI-92 and is superior in service life to the turbo 1.4 (140 hp) with direct injection.
All-wheel drive is designed for controllability, but the clutch quickly overheats on viscous surfaces. The suspension is tuned perfectly, there are almost no minor breakdowns up to 200 thousand kilometers, corrosion resistance is decent, but the equipment is budgetary.
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